Perennial bunchgrass with short rhizomes. Stems 20–100 cm. Leaves: blades mostly 2–8 mm broad, ligules 0.5–2 mm long. Inflorescence a contracted panicle 5–20 cm long. Spikelets 2–3 mm long. Lemmas 1.2–2 mm long, awnless or with a short delicate awn; palea minute to absent (Lavin in
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).